What People Are Saying...

"All eyes turned on Betty Widerski as she fiddled furiously and with unshakable energy for the local Celtic punk band The Gobshites. Her power at this recent St. Patrick’s Day festival in Boston, complemented by the banjo, mandolin and accordion around her - and the pint-chugging audience in front of her - made for the kind of Emerald Isle jam session that gets an Irish music novice hooked."

"I think Saturday's show was our strongest yet, since I've been around anyway, largely due to the ridiculous talent of our fiddle all-star Betty. As my favorite local bartender says, "Holy Hannah!" I am willing to get past the stereotype of a roots band covering "Devil Went Down to Georgia," solely based on her performance. She sounded better than the recording. Seriously."

"And I'm becoming a big fan of Betty Widerski, who is the fiddler with the Gobshites."

"Some interesting covers of Rick Berlin's songs that night, the string quartet people had me smiling from ear to ear."

"the arrangements and musicianship are impeccable ... The music's fucking brilliant---"

"Violinist Betty Widerski has been a Gobshite since May of 2004, making her one of the longest tenured members. She's easily the most accomplished musician in the band, with a classical background and years of formal training. [...] When she responded to Pete's plea on the Noise Board for a "Hot Woman Fiddler", he signed her up without meeting her, or even hearing her play. She showed up at their next gig and jumped right in, and hasn't stopped fiddling since."

"For this album mastermind Pat McHugh brought in several Boston area music veterans to help interpret his increasingly complex songs: Chris Brokaw (ex-Come), James Apt (ex-Six Finger Satellite), Betty Widerski (Ad Frank, Paul Kelley Orchestra), & Chilly Kurtz (Caged Heat).

"With homey acoustic ballads that waltz and sway, balanced against dragging indie pop and lo-fi alt. folk, The Road To Wichita evokes both feelings of ennui and hope. This primarily acoustic affair utilizes lazily drawn fiddle, timid banjo and subtle lap steel, along with the standard rhythm section to enhance these contemplative and reflective tunes with folksy charm."

"As usual, the fiddle player is sharp and inventive, and makes sure that the rest of the band remembers the Celtic half of their schtick."

"Where'd they find that fiddler? She was f***in' amazing!"

"The string quartet did an astonishing job. Thanks so much (Betty) for the time you put into doing the arrangements. You all sounded lovely and I think because of you people may now actually believe that I'm a classy broad!"

"You did an excellent job! When people hear your violin line at the end of the song, they get goosebumps!"